Ramblings

RESERVATIONS FOR THE T/S 1000
ARE NOW BEING TAKEN

Because interest in the TIMEX Sinclair
Personal Computer is so keen at the John
C. Hart Memorial Library in Shrub Oak,
New York, reservations to obtain computer
time must be made well in advance. Ac-
cording to Library Director, Betty F Stewart,
approximately 40-eager patrons have been
waiting — for as long as three months —
just for a chance to obtain “hands-on 1 '
experience with the computer.

JOHN C* HART
MEMORIAL LIBRARY

Since its inception in January of 1983, this
unique computer lending program has
captured the imagination of would-be com-
puter whizzes in this northern Westchester
County (NY) community of 32,000. Ms.
Stewart explains, “The purpose of this pro-
gram is to foster computer literacy and to
overcome the fear of computers. It is much
less intimidating and frightening if a patron
has the opportunity to work with a com-
puter in the comfort of the patron’s own
home, 1 '

The time-sharing program is working well.
Although computer time has been booked
solid since the program began, library
patrons — ranging from 13 to 90 — have
learned to operate the TIMEX Sinclair
Personal Computer with little difficulty
Library staff is always on- hand to answer
any questions. “We are just as eager as
our patrons to learn about the computer.

If there are questions we can’t answer"
said Ms. Stewart, "we simply call the
TIMEX 800 number. 1

PATRICIA GEORGE, HEAD OF
CIRCULATION, SHOWING THE T/S 1000
TO LIBRARY PAGE, DAVID HILL

The library owns two personal computers:

A T/S 1000 — which the library purchased
— and a ZX-81 — which was donated by a
patron. The computer plus a start-up kit —
consisting of the TIMEX Ram Pack, an in-
struction manual, a tape recorder, and two
TIMEX software cassettes — are loaned for
a period of one- week.

Besides the use of library cards to track
every item that is loaned, the patron is re-
quired to sign a responsibility form (parents
sign for minors) to insure that the computer
is well cared for (upon its return, a quick
program is run to confirm that the computer
is in good operating condition).

Overdue loans is not a great problem ei-
ther To encourage the prompt return of the
computer, a hefty $2.00 per-item, per-day
{including weekends) fee is enforced. Li-
brary circulation staff conscientiously call
all patrons in advance of the due date. This
is done to avoid the imposition of an expen-
sive overdue charge.

In addition to books and computers, the
John C. Hart Memorial Library also circu-
lates tape cassettes, books on cassettes,
records, comic books, magazines, Pola-
roid cameras, and educational toys. "The
library's philosophy is that information, in
whatever form, should be considered as
a service," concluded Betty Stewart.

Continued on page 2

STARTING OFF ON THE
RIGHT FOOT

lt 5 s Friday the 13th.

The electricity went off and your alarm
clock didn’t. Late already jump out of bed
and stub your toe. Gobble your breakfast,
but the toast is burnt and the coffee's cold.
Start your car and the battery's dead.

Some days it just seems like nothing goes
your way!

Well, cheer up! There's an easy way to start
off on the right foot with your TIMEX Sinclair
Personal Computer, And, the best way to
do so is to make sure that your computer
has been properly installed.

Let's briefly run through the installation
steps. As we go along, you can check to
confirm that your computer has been con-
nected properly {the illustrations below will
serve as a guide to the proper installation
techniques):

1 , Place your TIMEX Sinclair Personal
Computer next to your television set.

2, Disconnect the antenna leads from the
VHF terminals on the rear of your televi-
sion set and reconnect them to the two
screw terminals on the side of the
Computer/TV Switch Box,

3, Connect the leads on the Switch Box to
the VHF terminals on the rear of your
television set.

Continued on page 2

FEATURES in this issue ;

Review page 2

New T/S Users’ Group
Forming in Mississippi . page 2
Ramblings Book
Here ’s the Best Way to

Get Organized page 3

What's the Difference . . page 4

Previews page 5

More Computer for

Your $’S page 6

The Timex Technical

Revolution page 6

The Forum page 7

Computer Vocabulary. . page 8

VOLUME 1, NUMBER 3
MAY 1983

THE TIMEX® COMPUTER CLUB NEWSLETTER

Reservations TVS 7000confrnuec/

CIRCULATION DISPLAY

TIMEX has recently instituted a special
program for libraries which includes the
computer and all installation accessories,
instruction manual, RAM module, and
TIMEX carrying case — all included at
a very special price. Please contact the
TIMEX Education Department for more
information.

Imagine a computer lending library! What
will people think of next?

RAMBUNGS
BOOK REVIEW

Containing more than 65- programs, the
book, “ Mastering Your Timex Sinclair
1GQ0 rwr Personal Computer," combines text
and a 'learn-by-programming' 1 approach
to introduce the T/S user to the fundamen-
tals of TIMEX Sinclair Programming.

Right from the start, the reader utilizes the
book as a "programming guide" to load
programs intotheT/S 1000, Ranging from
simple print commands to some rather so-
phisticated mathematical applications, the
reader begins to learn how the computer is
programmed and works.

Highly structured, the book s topics include
loading and saving techniques, hints to
use the computer to its fullest capacity, pro-
gramming concepts and conventions, and
an introduction to computer graphics.
Although the book contains much useful
information, it will probably be of more
assistance to the reader who has some
prior knowledge of programming,
s * Mastering Your Timex Sinclair 1000
Personal Computer" is written by Tim
Hartnell and Dilwyn Jones, Published by
Bantam Books, and reasonably priced at
$3,95, it is available at local book or com-
puter stores.

Starting off continued

INSTALLATION DIAGRAM

If your television is equipped with either
cable TV or a 75-OHM antenna lead (a
round wire ending in a screw terminal),
you will need to obtain — from your lo-
cal electronics store — a UHF/VHF
matching transformer to accommodate
the Switch Box.

In the event that the cable TV is hard-
wired (connected directly into your TV),
contact your local cable company for
assistance.

4. Setthe Switch Box two-position
COMPUTER/TV switch to position
COMPUTER* {When you don't want to
use the computer and want to watch
TV simply set the switch to position TV.)

5, Set the VHF Channel Selector on your
television, and the channel control
switch under your TIMEX Sinclair Com-
puter, to either channel 2 or channel 3
— whichever channel is not used in
your area,

(If both channels are used, either
channel can be used; it is best to select
the channel that provides the best
image.)

6. Insert one end of the TV cable into the
jack on the COMPUTER/TV Switch
Box and the other end into the TV jack
on your TIMEX Sinclair Personal
Computer.

7. Plug the jack from the computer power
supply into the 9V DC jack on the com-
puter. Then plug the power supply into
the wall outlet,

8. If installing the RAM Expansion Mod-
ule, simply (carefully) push the contacts
on the RAM Module onto the circuit
board at the rear of your computer

9. Confirm that all connections are tight.
10. Turn your television set ON; the K cur-
sor will display on the bottom of the
screen (if it doesn't, check for loose
connections, confirm that both the TV
and computer have been set to the
same channel, and adjust the vertical
control on the TV to insure that the cur-
sor is not "off-screen").

Follow this easy procedure and you'll put
your best foot forward each and every
time!

NEW T/S USERS’ GROUP
FORMING IN MISSISSIPPI

Here’s a call for all T/S owners in the
Jackson, Mississippi area, A newT/S user's
group is now being formed. If you would
like to expand your knowledge of TIMEX
Personal Computers and explore new
ways to get the most from your system,
contact Robert Paradise or Ken Hippie at:
Paradise Systems
520 N. State St.

Suite B

Jackson, MS 39201
(601)352-8149

2

HERE’S THE BEST WAY TO GET ORGANIZED

Put your TIMEX Sinclair Personal
Computer and the Organizer software to
work for you. It's the easiest way to reduce
bundles of paperwork into a single, com-
pact cassette tape.

Fundamentally the Organizer is a data
management tool, tt is designed to store
any type of information that can be listed
(e,g., birthday and anniversary dates, tele-
phone numbers, membership rosters, in*
surance policies, recipes; or items of a
similar nature) and retrieve it — just when
you need it the most.

Let's look at how it works:

To utilize the Organizer, load the program
into your TIMEX Sinclair Personal Com-
puter This is accomplished by following the
usual loading procedure, using the com-
mand: LOAD ,l VU-FILE” (or LOAD " ").
Once the computer has been loaded, you
can establish your file, create the record
layout, define the data fields, and enter the
individual records. Thereafter, you can
choose to utilize the various options to en-
ter, change, or delete records; list or print
them, retrieve them in a particular order; or
search (and find) a single record from a
large number of similar records.

BASIC DEFINITIONS

Well begin by defining some of the termi-
nology that applies to the Organizer,

If we have a cabinet which pertains to em-
ployment applications, for example, that
cabinet is our file — all information within
applies to a common subject. And, each
employment application within the cabinet
constitutes one record ■ Instead of a cabi-
net, the computer is an electronic file and
we will create individual records through
the use of the display on your television
screen.

If we look at any employment application
we will note that it consists of printed areas
which request information (such as name,
address, and social security number) and
the necessary blank spaces for the appli-
cant's response. Those printed areas
on the application are equivalent to our
record layout; and those blank spaces are
analogous to data entry fields ,

NOW, LET’S GET ORGANIZED

When you load the Organizer for the first
time, the Record Layout Screen is dis-
played . But, before typing the layout onto
the TV screen, it is probably a good idea to
write out the record with pencil and paper.
Do be sure to allow adequate room for both

the preprinted data and the spaces into
which data is to be entered for each record;
the system supplies 32-spaces horizontally,
and 19-lines vertically.

Now, using the Arrow keys (5, 6, 7. and 8
on your keyboard), move the cursor to the
desired locations on the blank portion of
the TV screen. Type the record layout (the
illustration below will serve as a guide). To
move the arrows, simultaneously press the
SHIFT and the appropriate arrow keys. You
can use letters, numbers, special charac-
ters, and graphic characters to create the
record layout. Upon completion of the lay-
out, simultaneously press the SHIFT and
the STOP (A) keys, (Do nofuse the RUN
and ENTER keys.)

CREATING THE RECORD LAYOUT

The program now displays the Data
Field Screen. This screen permits you to
define the size (number of characters) of
each field. To accomplish this, use the
Arrow keys (as previously described) to
move the cursor to the location where
the field is to begin; then, press the
ENTER key. Upon completion of the en-
tire screen, simultaneously press the
SHIFT and the STOP (A) keys. This step
is illustrated below.

One word of caution! Make absolutely
certain that you establish each data field
in exactly the same sequence that you
want to enter the data when you create
the record. (Your ingenious Editor man-
aged to create a layout that started from
the last field at the bottom of the screen,
and wrapped around backwards — you
don’t want to do this!)

DEFINING THE DATA FIELDS

Next, enter the appropriate data to create
the record. After entering data in the first
field, press the ENTER key; the computer
automatically advances to the next field.
Should it be necessary to skip a particular
field, simply press the ENTER key to do so
(computer automatically enters all blanks
into that field). The following illustration
demonstrates a typical completed record.

Hg njaamasEB

STOP TQ EXIT

USED CAR INVENTORY!

ID NO: 21 1 7 SERIAL NO. AQ3207

MAKE: OLDS YEAR: 1971

MODEL: OMEGA COLOR: WHITE

RETAIL PRICE: $695.00
WHOLESALE PRICE: $250,00

EEM l

CREATING A RECORD

Repeat the above step until all desired rec-
ords have been entered. The Organizer
can hold approximately 100 -records in its
file. After entering the last record, simulta-
neously press the SHIFT and the STOP
keys.

As illustrated below, the program now dis-
plays the Command screen. This permits
you to select any Organizer option that you
would like to use. Choose an option by typ-
ing the first letter of the command at the

Continued on page 4

3

Gef organized continued

keyboard. Refer to the Organizer instruc-
tions for information pertaining to the oper-
ation of these options.

COMMAND SCREEN

Finally this software package is menu-
driven, The Main Menu is displayed
(refer to next illustration) when you
select the QUIT (Q) option from the
Command Screen, tn addition, if you
save the program and reload it, the
Main Menu is displayed at the comply
tionofthe load.

ORGANIZER MENU

AN EXTRA SPECIAL BONUS

The Organizer has a bonus for you; it is
a second program called the Gazetteer.
The Gazetteer is, in fact, a fascinating
geographical dictionary of every coun-
try in the world. Each record {one rec-
ord = one country) contains information
pertaining to that country — such as its
capital, main language, national cur-
rency and much, much more.

To load the Gazetteer, proceed as
follows:

1 , Load your Organizer in the usual
manner Upon completion of the load,
stop your tape recorder.

2, Quit the Organizer program to return
to the Main Menu.

3, At the Main Menu, simultaneously
press the SHIFT and BREAK (space)
keys.

4. At the keyboard type:

LOAD “GAZETTEER”

5. Start your tape recorder by pressing
the PLAY control. Then press the
ENTER key

6. When the Gazetteer is loaded, the
Main Menu will appear on the screen.
A new record can be created by se-
lecting the first option from the menu;
the second option can be used to dis-
play an individual record — one of
which is illustrated below.

TYPICAL GAZETTEER RECORD

The options for the Gazetteer are those
provided with the Organizer, refer to the
instructions packaged within your software
cassette.

TIMEX Software — gives you just a little
extra.

The official TIMEX • Computer Club
Newsletter, is published monthly by
TIMEX Computer Corporation, P O Box
2655 , Waterbary, CT 06725. Please
direct all correspondence to the Editor.
Editor

Paul Schirtoff
Technical Support Manager

Sue Mahoney

This TIMEX Computer Club Newsletter is pub-
lished solely for informational purposes and
shall not be construed as creating any war-
ranty, express or implied. It may not be repro-
duced, in any manner, without prior permission
from TIMEX. (However, TIMEX User Groups
are hereby given permission to reproduce and
distribute newsletter information es long as it
is for the exclusive use of the members of their
User Group — and is not used for commercial
publication Please do be sure to credit
RAMBUNGS as the source of the information )
information contained herein is subject to
change at any time , without prior notice, and
may be superseded or amended tn a subse-
quent issue. We are not responsible for any
errors or omissions in published materiais.
However, should there be an error in any sub-
mitted material, we wiH publish a correction in
a subsequent issue.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE ^

Many TIMEX Sinclair Personal Computer
owners have inquired about the differences
between the Sinclair computer and the
TIMEX Sinclair Personal Computer. Although
these differences are small in number, they
are also substantial in operating capabili-
ties, Therefore, we'd like to take this oppor-
tunity to answer your questions,

SINCLAIR ZX-80 AND ZX-81

Originally designed for the European
hobbyist, the Sinclair computer was first
marketed in kit form. This inexpensive com-
puter kit permitted the serious hobbyist to
build and “customize' 1 his or her own per-
sonal computer.

Equipped with a flat-surface, pressure sen-
sitive keyboard, the ZX-80 contains a 4K
ROM and a IK RAM. The ZX-81 provides
an 8K ROM and a IK RAM; the memory
capacity of the ZX-81 could be augmented
by a 16K RAM pack.

As designed and marketed, the Sinclair
computer could not accommodate a
modem and offered little application-type
software.

TIMEX SINCLAIR 1000

PERSON AL COMPUTER _

Although similar to the ZX-81 , the TIMEX
Sinclair 1000 Personal Computer contains
a number of improvements that meet the
needs of the American consumer.

First of all, the TIMEX Sinclair 1000 is a fully
assembled, ready-to-go computer system.
Everything (except the television set and
the tape recorder) is provided right in the
package. Just complete a simple installa-
tion procedure, and the system is ready for
operation.

To provide more computing flexibility, the
T/S 1000 contains a larger memory; it is
equipped with an 8K ROM and a 2K RAM.

A 16K Ram Expansion Module substan-
tially extends the storage capacity of
the system. (Note that when the RAM
Expansion Module is used, the computer’s
2K RAM is shutdown. Therefore, you re-
ceive 16K of memory.) The computer is fully
compatible with both the TIMEX Modem
(coming soon) and the TIMEX Printer.

Today, more than 70 (and growing daily)

TIMEX application software products are
available. They are marketed on easily-
stored, inexpensive tape cassettes for use
in the home, the office, for education, and
for enjoyment.

4

WE’VE GOT SOFTHEARTED SOFTWARE

All TIMEX software is designed with you
in mind. As a result, you get easy-to-use,
ready-to-go software products at a price
that is E-Z on your pocketbook, There’s no
fuss or bother either just load the tape cas-
sette and away you go!

This month, we' ve got a treasure chest full
of sparkling-new software releases ready
for you. Best of all, your TIMEX Sinclair
Personal Computer will give you more help
and pleasure than ever before.

TIMEX SOFTWARE - FOR THE HOME

HEATING SYSTEM ANALYZER

Want to add a room to your house, change your
heating system or add insulation? This program
can show you how much money you'll save by
improving your heating system

Cassette; 03*2015
Size: 16K
Price: $9,95*

SOLAR WATER HEATER DESIGNER

Shows you how efficient different collector de-
signs are. Helps to determine which one is best
for you and projects how much you can save on
heating costs each year.

Cassette: 03-2017
Size: 16K
Price: $12.95*

TIMEX SOFTWARE - FOR YOUR
FAMILY’S EDUCATION

GEOMETRY I

Here's a great way to brush up on your math
skills. This cassette helps you find the area of a
polygon, solve the unknown given three parts
of a triangle, and lets you convert an angle from
degrees to radians and then back again
Cassette: 02-3002
Size: 2K
Price: $10.95*

ALGEBRA I

Get the answers to Algebra problems! This cas-
sette helps you find the greatest common de-
nominator of two numbers, solve simultaneous
equations for the roots of a quadratic equation,
and solves simultaneous linear equations of up
to 10-unknowns.

Cassette: 02-3003
Size: 2K
Price: $10.95*

ALGEBRA II

When you've just got to add, subtract, multiply
or invert a matrix or find the number of combina-

tions or permutations of a set, this educational
cassette is just what you needl

Cassette: 02-3004
Size: 2K
Prioe: $10,95*

CAPITALIZATION MASTER

Reinforces correct capitalization techniques, it
is useful when studying for an achievement test,
English test, or just reviewing the ground rules,
Menu- driven approach lends itself to ease of
use.

Cassette: 03-3007
Size: 16K
Price: $10,95*

E.E. I — FILTER DESIGN

An invaluable aid for the electronic engineer and
students involved in the E.E. I filter design field.
Fast menu -driven approach provides information
on bandpass, low pass, or high pass filters. Plots
of all of your design criteria are readily available
Cassette: 03-3008
Size: 16K
Price: $12,95*

GUITAR FOR BEGINNERS

A great way to learn or to practice with your gui-
tar. Cassette reviews the parts of the guitar, its ba-
sic chords, bar chords, and chord progressions.

Cassette: 03-3009
Size: 16K
Price: $10,95*

LANGUAGE USAGE

Specifically geared for students in grades 4 thru
12. Helps them improve scores on standardized
achievement tests. Keeps records on lessons to
help pinpoint troublesome areas.

Cassette: 03-3010
Size: 16K
Price: $9,95 *

SUPERDOODLES

Become an artist. You pick up characters dis-
played on the top of the screen and use them to
draw detailed pictures. You can use a fast or slow
pen to move the cursor Lets you draw at your
own pace.

Cassette: 03-3011
Size: 16K
Price: $9,95*

TOTAL TRIANGLES

Total triangles encompasses the subject of trian-
gulation. It can be used m the classroom as well
as in business. Provides surface area if triangle
has a length and weight, for example, if the trian-
gle is made from various metals.

Cassette: 03-3012
Size: 16K
Price: $9.95*

MUSIC EDUCATOR I

Music Educator I is an excellent starting point for
learning the notes of the scale. Shows note name
and timing by graphical display. An informal way
of getting a musical education.

Cassette: 03-3013
Size: 16K
Price: $9,95*

CONVERSATIONAL GERMAN

Teaches basic and useful words and phrases in
the German language it is highly beneficial to
the student, the traveler, or anyone interested in
conversational German. Over 240-words and
50- phrases are available to study. Program is
menu driven for ease of use.

Cassette: 03-3014
Size: 16K
Price: $10.95*

CONVERSATIONAL FRENCH

Teaches basic and useful words and phrases in
the French language, It is highly beneficial to
the student, the traveler, or anyone interested in
conversational French. Over 240- words and
50-phrases are available to study. Program is
menu-driven for ease of use.

Cassette: 03-3015
Size: 16K
Price: $10.95*

TIMEX SOFTWARE — FOR YOUR
ENTERTAINMENT AND ENJOYMENT

BAT CAGE

A challenging game which provides 36- levels of
skill. The object of the game is to catch the bat
egg and release the bat in the cage. You then
must defend your cage from the bats attempting
to free the caged bat
Cassette: 02-4004
Size: 2K
Price: $9.95*

TRAP

An arcade type game in which you test your re-
flexes and see how many bouncing balls you
can catch in the trap. The more you catch, the
harder it is to catch them. Easy to learn, but diffi-
cult to master.

Cassette: 03*4014
Size: 16K
Price: $9.95*

STRATEGY FOOTBALL

Strategy football is an exciting challenge for all,
Features safeties, QB sacks, interceptions, field
goals, big plays, and equally big losses, and
kickoff returns. Five- offensive and four- defensive
plays are provided.

Cassette: 03-4015
Size; 16K
Price: $9 95*

* Suggested retail price.

THE TIMEX® COMPUTER CLUB NEWSLETTER

MORE COMPUTER FOR YOUR $’S

Absolutely the best value In the personal
computer marketplace today, the brand
new TIMEX Sinclair 1500™ has all the con-
veniences and capabilities associated with
the T/S 1000, plus a host of new features.

NEW KEYBOARD

One of the most prominent features of the
T/S 1500 is its 40-finger-contoured movable
keys — which include 22-special charac-
ters and 22-graphic characters — gives
you finger-tip control over all input. Of
course, the unique TIMEX "one-step" key-
word entry system eliminates tedious extra
steps and saves valuable programming
time.

T/S 1500 PERSONAL
COMPUTER

EXPANDED MEMORY

An expanded memory is one of the pri-
mary reasons why you get more computer
for your dollar.

Standard equipment includes an 8K Read
Only Memory and a 16K Random Access
(built-in) Memory. And, when the optional

newly-designed 16K RAM Expansion Mod-
ule is added to the T/S 1 500, you have a
32K computer at the very low price of
$129.90* — easily one of the truly great
buys in today's personal computer market.

NEW AND BETTER SOFTWARE

You can still use all of your favorite TIMEX
1000 software cassettes with the T/S 1 500
AND in addition, the T/S 1500 will also uti-
lize “instant-load” solid state software car-
tridges — new from TIMEX, and coming
soon!

Furthermore, a virtual cornucopia of future
software products will help you use your
computer in ways you never thought were
possible.

UPGRADING YOUR SYSTEM

The T/S 1500 is fully compatible with the
TIMEX T/S 2050 Modem (coming soon)
and the T/S 2040 Printer. In this manner,
you can start small and expand your sys-
tem whenever you desire.

The TIMEX Sinclair 1500 — great com-
puter, great value, more computer for your
hard-earned dollars, and coming soon!

"Suggested retail price of the T/S 1500 is $79,95; sug-
gested retail price of the 16K RAM Expansion Module is
$49 95.

S ^ MAILBOX

First and foremost, RAMBLINGS,the
TIMEX Computer Club Newsletter is a
forum for you, the T/S user Through this ve*
hide, T/S users — throughout the country
— can exchange valuable and useful tech-
niques, ideas, programs, and discuss other
topics of mutual interest.

We gratefully solicit your articles, programs,
suggestions, critiques, and brainstorms,
Please mail your contributions to the
RAMBLINGS Editor.

And if we publish your material during June,
we ll say thank you by sending you a free
TIMEXteeshirt. Please state your shirt size
with your contribution.

THE TIMEX

TECHNOLOGICAL REVOLUTION . . .

T/S 1500 ™

Persona/ Computer

• Moving Key Keyboard

• Great Timex Quality

• 16K Built-in;
Expandable to 32K

• Traditional Timex
Economy

• Quick-Load Cassette
or Cartridge Software

...GIVES YOU THE
1500 PERSONAL COMPUTER

i

6